So I am reading the old threads. I want to shoot prairie dogs from 10 feet to 150 yards.

I have been shooting a home hopped up 10/22 with a good burris scope, but another 14 year old will be joining us, so I am going to let him shoot my 10/22 and get something else.

Prairie dogs at 150 yards with a 10/22 is obviously not a consistent proposition. 100 yards for us is about the limit.

AR is not for me.

If I want to shoot a Prairie dog at 150 to 200 yards over the hood of my truck, is the SKS and Mini 14 going to be more accurate then a 10/22? I don't mind tinkering, and in fact like it.
I will put a good scope on it, and a mount like the Choates.

Which is more likely to be easily tinkered on to where it is 1.5 moa? SKS or Mini 14?

Can you shoot 100 rounds at a day through either gun and have "fun?"

Regolith

February 28, 2010, 02:56 AM

I don't know about the SKS but the Mini-14 can be tinkered with to get around 1.5-1moa. Sub moa is rather difficult, but it's possible. The newer ones (580 and 581 series) are often 2moa out of the box.

This forum has a lot of information on how to do so: http://perfectunion.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=106

Art Eatman

February 28, 2010, 11:35 AM

You already have a Mini? Or are you making a buying decision?

The .223 is a great prairie dog round. But I'd choose a bolt-action over a Mini, just because it's easier to get half-MOA groups. Hard to stay inside of two MOA with a Mini, once the barrel heats up.

I've hunted prairie dogs with a guy who used a .17 Mach II. Deadly to 100 yards. He was on a learning curve, but readily figured out windage and drop to be able to make kills at 200 yards. (Laser range finder.)

drmiller100

February 28, 2010, 01:01 PM

No, I am thinking of buying.

Currently shoot a 10/22.

Want a semi auto. considering mini 14 and sks.

rumor is ammo is the same price, and accuracy is similar. True?

Average Joe

February 28, 2010, 02:50 PM

For the difference in price, I would get an AR over a Mini. But, if you really don't want an AR, then I would choose the Mini over the SKS . Don't get me wrong, I have 4 SKS rifles, and love them, but I think a .223 would be better for ground hogs and prairie dogs. As far as accuracy, the SKS and the Mini are pretty close..

L_Killkenny

February 28, 2010, 03:08 PM

Anything is possible but neither the Mini or SKS is a good platform for busting prairie dogs. Don't get me wrong, I really like the Mini platform but it's just so far down the list for good prairie dog guns that it doesn't even register. As bad as the Mini would be for that task the SKS is even worse.

If you want prairie dogs out to 150 yards AND semiauto look at the .22mags like the Rem 597's, Mag Research and Volqurtsen. If you want 200 yards you're either talking a boltgun or an AR. Hate to burst your bubble.

LK

stubbicatt

March 1, 2010, 05:30 AM

Like one of the other contributors to the forum, I'd choose a bolt actioned rifle in 223 or 204 Ruger for prairie dogs.

Unlike another contributor, I have seen the landowner where we shoot pop them at 200+ yards with his mini 14. And it is one of the old ones. Guy is an outstanding shot no matter what is in his hands.

Both the mini and the SKS will make your chore of policing up your empty brass much more difficult than it needs to be. One sure way to curtail being invited back to shoot on someone's land is to leave litter laying about, including spent shell casings. Just a friendly FYI.

22-rimfire

March 1, 2010, 06:53 AM

If staying with rimfire, I would suggest either 17HMR or 22 WMR at distances beyond 100 yds. 17HMR will likely be more accurate, but more subject to wind drift. The Remington 597 comes to mind as a reasonable platform.

I would not recommend either a Mini-14 or SKS for you application. They just aren't designed for that kind of shooting. Something in 204 Ruger would be a good choice but it is likely to not be a semi-auto.

If you want to stick with 22LR and likely have very good accuacy, I would suggest a bolt action rifle such as the CZ 453, Savage Mark II, or Weatherby Mark XXII (bolt).

Added: Another option is the Thompson Center R-55 (semi-auto) which is available in 17 mach 2. Many are tach drivers out of the box.

farmall

March 1, 2010, 10:17 AM

For the $$$$, I'd look into a Stevens Package rifle in 223. The 3x9 scope on top should be sufficient for the ranges you describe.

Andy

Jeff3966

March 1, 2010, 10:38 AM

I have an AR15 Bushmaster and an SKS and have killed lots of prairie dogs. I love the 10/22 for close in work and then move out with the Bushmaster. The 223 is a flat shooting fast and accurate round with shots out past 400 yds easy. The venerable 7.62x39 was made for a medium range automatic rifle and serves that purpose well. It was not ment for the persision that prairie dog shooting takes. I would not use my SKS to shoot prairie dogs with IMHO. Everyone is making good guns that are better suited to hunt dogs with then the SKS but for good fun plinking and back up for close up (under 100yds) deer rifle the SKS is great I love mine;)

berettaprofessor

March 1, 2010, 11:12 AM

Neither SKS nor the mini-14 would be good for consistent prairie dog targets at 150 yards. Now a decent platform 223 should outdo the 22 so perhaps an AR with a bull/target barrel??